The long-term funding source for The Hub will run out at the end of April, but the operators say they have bridge funding, and are seeking another long-term source of financing.
The Community Resources Hub has been operating since September of 2021 on provincial and federal grants worth $1.3 million. The city’s Community Social Safety Initiative helped set up the facilities.
It has been operating at a parking lot at The Ridge Church, at the corner of Lougheed Highway and 222nd Street. There people living on the streets can access mobile showers and washrooms, have a meal, find clean clothes, and get pointed to a number of services, including those provided by the operator, Alouette Addictions.
One morning last week, a woman was having bandages applied to her lower leg. Elderly people were sitting in the shelter having coffee and chatting.
One of the staff members said a volunteer had given nine people haircuts the day before. Other volunteers have been helping clients catch up on their taxes, and she said in some cases they had refunds waiting for them from the Canada Revenue Agency.
One client getting help was a Hub record 12 years behind on taxes. Apparently, he was pretty happy with his refund.
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There has been nervousness about the facility’s future, because of the lack of an ongoing funding source, but there is money to keep it going.
“The funding for the current granting period ends on April 30,” said Rick Butler, the Hub coordinator. “Bridge funding until a new longer term funding source has been secured, and will commence May 1,2024.”
Mo Korchinski, who is president of the board of directors for Alouette Addictions, said they are working hard to secure more funding, and won’t let the facility go.
“It won’t disappear – it’s too valuable,” she said.